Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is deeply rooted in the Chinese culture. Although thousands of animal and plant species are used for medicines legally, some medications contain more sinister elements; illegal animal or plant ingredients of protected species. What is the origin of this demand for rare species as medicine, who are involved in the trade and why is law enforcement complicated? This article will show that the illicit trade in TCM is a form of crime that transcends the borders of China and manifests itself in Western Europe. Various aspects of the trade are highlighted, including criminalization of the use of endangered species, western anthropocentrism and the cultural use of medicine, to understand this relatively invisible crime.

Victims of violent crime who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can request financial compensation from the Dutch Violent Offences Compensation Fund (VOCF). Problematic with this is that PTSD is amenable for malingering. Malingering involves the invention or exaggeration of psychological symptoms or the attribution of such symptoms to wrong causes. If malingered PTSD remains undetected, the VOCF will run the risk of compensating damages which do not exist. The literature suggests that malingering can be detected by focusing on extreme scores on symptom screeners. The results of the current study, however, seem to suggest that this may not be an adequate strategy.

In this article, the Belgian system of temporary leave from prison is presented. The main modalities of temporary leave in Belgium are the prison furlough and home leave. Recently, new legislation has brought about a new regulatory framework for the release system, including these modalities. The definition of these modalities and the decision making process are presented.

Police agencies in Europe operate outside their domestic territory more and more often. Within the European Union, special attention is focused on the exchange of information and on countering organized crime. However, international public order enforcement receives less attention. The present article highlights the relevant legislation and practical opportunities applicable to public order enforcement in the cooperation between the Dutch and Belgium police force. In addition, the use of force and the principle of sovereignty are debated. Finally, recommendations will be given in order to improve future cooperation within the field of international public order enforcement in the Benelux.